Anderson's Kincaid in attack mode at NSCIF Masters

Rodney Kincaid stretched the limits of patience long enough.

The Anderson High wrestler lost his only two matches at state after claiming his first Northern Section Masters championship last year.  The defensive-first method was suitable for the North State. But to reach an elite level, Kincaid found his aggression. And it’s allowing him to prosper.

“I didn’t have an attack mode and it’s true that you live and die by the attack,” said Kincaid, the top seed in the 162-pound weight class and three-time Northern Athletic League champion. “You can’t sit back or you’ll get beat or lose to someone you’re not supposed to.

“If you’re attacking you have to have that ‘go get them’ attitude and it’s working for me.”

Kincaid is one of three Anderson Cubs to reach the semifinals in their respective weight classes Friday during the Northern Section Masters championships at the Redding Civic Auditorium. He made quick work of both his opponents, recording first-round pins over Mount Shasta’s Elisha Reyes and Foothill’s Earnest Wilson to cruise into Saturday’s semifinals, which begin at 11:15 a.m.

The second round of consolation kicks off today at 10 a.m. with the finals scheduled for 4:25 p.m.

None of Kincaid’s four wins at last year’s Masters was by fall. But with a quick first move and a hustling approach, he’s built a 36-6 record this year with 27 pins. The strategy alteration is broadening his potential, Cubs’ coach Jim Penick said.

“He’s starting to be aggressive and come out of his box,” Penick said. “It’s not just to not lose but to win now. When he goes hard, no one can stop him.”

Kincaid adding the extra gear is what Penick believes can lead the 21st ranked wrestler in the state to a medal. Harnessing the pressure of being the top seed in last year’s section tournament erased any nerves Kincaid had left.

And his confidence continues to grow.

“I’ve wrestled a lot of tournaments and been No. 1 (in the section) all year,” Kincaid said. “I can beat anyone if I execute the moves I know I can do.”

Kincaid has also had the help from his teammate Ryan McKibben, the tournament’s top seed at 197 pounds. McKibben earned two pins to reach the semis and credits the battles in practice to both of their success.

“It’s a lot of back and forth; we make each other better,” McKibben said. “He gives me the aspect of short and stocky and I give him the length.”

McKibben, ranked 39th in state, usually gives up some weight to his opponent. But his body shape gives him an advantage.

“He’s tough to beat because of his unorthodox style,” Penick said. “He has long arms and legs but has a lot of strength to go with it. He has a lot of throwing capabilities and is hard to hold down.”

Five of the six area wrestlers that were top seeds in their weight classes – Foothill’s Dalton Lakmann (134), Kincaid, Shasta’s Quinn Simard (172), West Valley’s Boni Escobar (184) and McKibben – pinned their way to the semifinals. Foothill’s Russell Rucklos (154) won his first match by fall before picking up a major decision in the quarterfinals.

Corning leads the team scores after the first day with 80 points, followed by second place Chico (78.5 points) and Foothill (77 points). Sutter (74 points) and Paradise (72.5) points round out the top five. Red Bluff is sixth (47), West Valley seventh (45) and Anderson ninth (40).

Foothill and Corning both have seven semifinalist wrestlers, which is the most for any team.

108 pounds: Trinity senior Cameron Keating, seeded fourth, made his way to the semis with a pair of pins in less than a minute each. He faces top seeded Richie Carmarena of Lassen next.

115 pounds: Anderson freshman Austin Raby is 2-0 with a pin and major decision victory to get him to the semis to face top-seeded Jimmy Heryford of Sutter. Red Bluff’s Keena Turner also won both of his matches and faces Corning’s Chase Aulabaugh next.

122 pounds: Foothill’s Colton Stone, seeded third, won both his matches by fall. The other top three seeds are still alive – PV’s Jake Mora, Paradise’s Bryan Van Iderstine and Sutter’s Billy Thorton, respectively.

128 pounds: Foothill’s Tucker Ellis won a 4-2 decision over Ellis Lor of Chico to reach the semis. Second-seeded Bryar Byrne of Gridley lost in the quarterfinals to Sutter’s Jacob Johnson. Orland’s Enrique Landeros won both his matches by fall.

134 pounds: Top-seeded Lakmann cruised with a pair of pins. Shasta’s Luis Martinez won both his matches and faces Sutter’s Zac Hancock next.

140 pounds: Foothill’s Robert Gonzalez had a pin and major decision to advance to the semis against Sutter’s Mike Adams.

147 pounds: The top three seeds all advanced in Chico’s Ryan Rudkin, Foothill’s Cory Williford and Chester’s Colton Dreith.

154 pounds: Rucklos faces Red Bluff’s Chaos Vierra in the semis, both have a pin to their name.

162 pounds: Kincaid faces Sutter’s Max Gipson in the semis with the other matchup being Corning’s Tristen Bailey and Chico’s Jake Farrell.

172 pounds: Simard pinned both opponents and faces Chico’s Jackson Blakenship in the semis.

184 pounds: All top four seeds advanced with No. 1 Escobar recording a first and second period pin. He faces Lassen’s Tucker St. Andre next.

197 pounds: McKibben won his two matches by fall. Red Bluff’s Marco Ortiz has a pin and an 8-3 decision victory to advance to the semis to face Chico’s Patrick Whitmore.

222 pounds: West Valley’s Dalton Nichols had a pair of second-period pins to reach the semis. Foothill’s Cameron Reed won both of his matches with 12-6 and 5-3 victories. Reed faces top-seeded Tony Rogers of Chester next.

287 pounds: Trinity’s Dallas Hater pinned both opponents in the second period to reach the semis where he’ll face top-seeded Gavin Nye of Corning, who is ranked fourth in the state.

IF YOU GO

What: NSCIF Masters wrestling championships

When: Saturday 10 a.m., finals at 4:25 p.m.

Where: Redding Civic Auditorium

Admission: Adults $13, senior citizen $9, Students w/ ASB $8, K-8 student $7